Criticism of Newsom’s Free Diaper Initiative
The founder of an organic baby formula company has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom’s initiative to provide free diapers to all newborns as “infuriating nonsense.” Newsom recently introduced the Golden State Start Initiative, partnering with the nonprofit Baby2Baby to deliver 400 diapers to newborns at selected hospitals.
However, the program has faced backlash for allocating $20 million in taxpayer funds to a nonprofit headed by someone who also sits on the board of Newsom’s wife’s organization, which focuses on gender equality.
Peter Bassios, a critic, suggested it might be more cost-effective to simply give $100 in cash to low-income mothers instead of the state paying 50 cents for each diaper. “100,000 babies x 400 diapers = 40 million diapers,” he posted on X. “$20,000,000 ÷ 40,000,000 = $0.50 per diaper. You can buy the same quality at Costco for about 12 to 15 cents each,” he argued.
He also pointed out, “400 diapers cost $48 to $60,” emphasizing that the state is paying significantly more per diaper than typical households would spend when buying in bulk. Bassios labeled this initiative “the height of government stupidity,” claiming it exacerbates the gap between government and nonprofit sectors.
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Steve Hilton voiced similar concerns, stating that Newsom’s diaper program costs “three times more” than buying them in stores. He questioned why it is more expensive for the state to supply diapers to newborns rather than letting the money remain with their parents. “It’s just going to a nonprofit, and his allies will profit from it,” he said.
Hilton advocated for tax cuts so that parents could simply purchase their own diapers instead of relying on this “ridiculous bureaucratic scheme.”
Newsom has presented this “first-in-the-nation program” as part of a broader effort to tackle affordability in the state by utilizing the state’s buying power to provide quality diapers directly to families. The newspaper sought a comment from Newsom’s office but did not receive a reply.
